Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Publication No. 356-160 August 1983 Consumer Selection Guide to Refrigerators and Freezers --- - ·· -- . [ VIRGINIA TECH AND VIRGINIA STATE• VIRGINIA'S LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES LD ~55 lt'1&~ Consumer Guide fro ~- Key facts to consider before you buy: VP/ This selection guide will help you choose the refrigerator or freezer that's right for you. If you're like most S,ec,,. consumers, you'll keep your new refrigerator or freezer for 15 years or more, so it is especially important you make the right selection. Storage Capacity torage capacity is probably the If you live alone, seldom eat at home • Do you entertain frequently? most important buying considera­ and about the only time you open your A Word About Outside Dimensions. tion. A "too large" n1odel refrigerator is for ice cubes or a quick S Buy a model that will fit into your snack, the smaller single-door refriger­ refrigerates or freezes more space than house. Be sure to measure the space ator may be the right choice for you. \'our familv needs. A "too small" available for your new refrigerator or wili' require extra trips to the ~1odel On the other hand, if you answer "yes" freezer as well as door and hallway store or filling the unit too full for to many of the following questions, clearances and compare these require­ adequate air circulation. In each case, you probably should consider a larger ments to the outside dimensions of the higher operating cost will result. model. model you plan to buy. Also check The capacity of a refrigerator or freezer whether your room layout requires a • Do you have a large family? is measured in cubic feet of food stor­ left or right-hand door. Some models • Do you live quite a distance from age space. All manufacturers partici­ have reversible doors. Ask your dealer grocery stores? pating in the AHAM Refrigerator­ for the specification sheets on the • Do you usually buy some foods in Freezer Certification Program use the models that interest you. These sheets large quantities? same method to rate the capacity of will give outside dimensions, installa­ • Do you have a garden or live near their models, so vou can be sure that tion clearances and information on seasonal fresh food suppliers and the capacity of a'll units bearing the features. freeze such foods in quantity? AHAM seal was measured the same • Do you prepare meals in advance way. and freeze them? What capacity do you need? • Do you often have leftovers? Defrost System the surfaces. The defrosted water and matically each time the unit stops here are three types of defrost ice must then be removed by hand and running. Normal refrigeration is not Tsystems: the refrigerator restarted by setting the interrupted. The freezer section, temperature control to the right setting. however, must be defrosted manually. Manual. You have to turn the refrigerator control to "off" or • Partial Automatic. (Cycle Defrost) • Automatic. Frost is removed auto­ "defrost" so the cooling surfaces will The cooling surface in the fresh food matically in both the refrigerator and warm up and the ice will loosen from (refrigerator) section will defrost auto- freezer sections. 2 Consumer Guide [ Door Style oor styles are illustrated below along with the capacity ranges, freezer Dtemperatures and defrost systems currently available in the various styles. SINGLE DOOR REFRIGERATOR (includes compact models) Overall Capacity: From 2.1 to 17.S cubic feet. Freezing Compartment Temperature: About IS °F for the largest freezing compartments. Smaller freezing compartments have higher temperatures and may be limfred to making ice. (Check the use and care manual for storage time of food already frozen.) Defrost System: Almost all single door refrigerators have manual defrost. A few larger models have automatic defrost. 0 a COMBINATION REFRIGERATOR-FREEZER TOP AND BOTTOM FREEZERS: Overall Capacity: From 2.8 to 22.9 cubic feet. Freezer Temperature: About S ° F or lower for frozen food storage. Defrost System: With the exception of a few smaller models, combination refrigerator-freezers have either partial automatic or automatic defrost systems. SIDE-BY-SIDE Overall Capacity: From 19.0 to 27. 7 cubic feet. Freezer Temperature: About S °F or lower for frozen food storage. Defrost System: All models have automatic defrost systems. FREEZERS Overall Capacity: From 4.7 to 28.0 cubic feet (chest freezers); from 2.5 to 30.4 cubic feet (upright freezers). Temperature: 0°F or lower temperatures for long-term food storage and for freezing limited quantities of fresh food. Defrost System: All chest freezers have manual defrost; a few upright models have automatic defrost systems. 3 Consumer Guide Energy Cost his is the cost of the energy (electricity) needed to operate the T refrigerator or freezer. This cost varies from model to model along with the capacity, freezer size and tempera­ ture and the type of defrost system. Energy cost also depends on design Name of manufacturer and Type of appliance and Estimated annual operating model number of the features vou cannot see such as the capacity. cost for this model only. appliance on which this efficiency of the condenser and motor, label appears. and the type and amount of insulation. Generally, larger models and models (Name of Corporation) All model numbers are listed Refrigerator-Freezer Model(s) AH503, AH504, AH507 if the label applies to more with automatic defrost systems will Capacity: 23 Cubic Feet Type of Defrost: Full Automatic than one model. use more electricitv than smaller National average cost models or those with manual defrost. for electricity upon which All brands and models the estimated annual (.UIDE A manual defrost unit, however, can EnE Only models w11 h 22 5 to 24 4 compared in the scale on energy cost figure is --+-­ cubic leet are compared this label fall within this based. 1nthe scale use considerable energy if the frost capacity range. 1 build-up is thick (over / 4 inch). This makes the unit run longer, work harder, Model with Model with highest and use more energy. After defrosting, Estimated annual operating energy cost Estimated annual operating cost for the model in this s91 $132 cost for the model in this energy is again required to lower the size range that costs lt111st T size range that costs most to operate. temperature for the resumption of food to operate. storage. Cautions that the customer's cost will not necessarily be Scale showing lowest and the same as the cost figure The "Energy Guide" Label. Once you highest estimated operating given above. costs for models within Yearly cost decide which capacity, door style, this size range . These models represent different Coat per S36 defrost system and other features you kilowatt brands, not just those of S73 want, look for the bright yellow the company listed in the hour upper right-hand corner. 6¢ 5109 "EnergyGuide." You'll find this label 8¢ S146 on the front of every model displayed 10¢ S182 12¢ 5218 Suggests that the customer in the store. The "EnergyGuide" will ask salesperson or utility for tell you the estimated annual operating local utility rates. cost of that particular model. This cost is based on • the model's performance under laboratory tests and Where the estimated annual Warning that it is unlawful A grid to help detenmine cost of this particular model to remove label. more closely the customer's • the national average electricity falls in comparison to all operating cost based on other models in this size local utility rates and use rate (stated on the label). range . habits. Remember, the prominent cost figure is a national average. Other information on the label will help you calculate your cost to operate the model based on your local electricity rate. Here is a sample "EnergyGuide" with new refrigerator or freezer, keep in less electricity ... than the one you've an explanation of the various parts. mind that, on the average, refrigerators had in your home for the past ten years Today's refrigerators and freezers use manufactured today use about 31 % or more. less energy. When you shop for your less electricity ... freezers about 42 % 4 Consumer Guide Makes and Models An explanation about the directory listing which follows . .. divided by ranges of capacity in cubic nameplate. The model number on the This listing is grouped as follows: feet.• Models within each of these nameplate may have a prefix and/or capacity groupings are listed from the suffix to denote such things as decora­ Rd~~~~ h~ lowest to the highest operating cost. tive changes, etc. Any model number Single Door-Manual Defrost 6 For each model you will find the which has a prefix or suffix denoting a Single Door-Automatic Defrost 6 following information in this order: change in total refrigerated volume and/or total shelf area ratings is listed Refrigerator-Freezers • Brand Name in this directory as a separate number. Top Freezer-Partial Automatic • Model Number Defrost 6 • Cubic Foot Volume The energy cost is the annual estimated Top Freezer-Automatic Defrost 6 • Energy Cost operating cost - the same as the big Bottom Freezer-Automatic number on the yellow "EnergyGuide." Defrost 8 If you're interested in the size of the You will note that two energy costs are Side-by-Side-Automatic Defrost 8 freezer versus fresh food storage areas given for each model. The first one is of specific models, ask your dealer for Freezers based on 4.97 cents per kWh or the current edition of AHAM 's Directory kilowatt hour (the national average in Upright Freezer-Manual Defrost 9 of Certified Refrigerators and Freezers. Upright Freezer-Automatic 1979), and the second on 6.